Hey Bill,

Glad you enjoyed the EarthTaier Video. It has been a fun project. They are even being used in Haiti to help field children at an orphanage today.

Regarding the "life cycle" of the Potting Mix, as the 'Tainer holds approx 3 cubic feet of mix, what I do at the end of the season I pull the plant without shaking it off (try to get most of the roots out). This leaves a "cavity" of about one cubic for the combined two tomato plants.

In the Spring (Season #2), I then mix in one cu.ft. of new potting mix and stir it in thoroughly. I plan to do this again in Season #3. After Season #3, I will completely empty the 'Tainer and use the old mix elsewhere in the yard and reload the 'Tainer with completely new potting mix.

I add in 2 cups of Tomato-tone each Season as is described in the Construction Guide.

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Perhaps Al Tapla or others who are expert in soil composition can comment on alternative formulas to the commercial Miracle-Gro Potting Mix.

Regarding wicking basket ratio, for me it has been literally a "trial and error" unscientific approach. I started with a 9"x9" wicking basket (81 sq. in.) and the potting mix wound up being too wet.

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I reduced the orifice repeatedly on subsequent 'Tainers and found that a surface area of approx 20 to 25 inches was optimal to keep the moisture gauge in the "Moist" range for the 31 gallon 'Tainer. The final (if there ever is a "final") design is using a 5 inch diameter pond basket.

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Again, not scientific at all - - but it worked for me.

Raybo

Raybo - Hey, friend! I have a few questions, as well.

1. How long do you think the rubbermaid totes will last, before they start cracking from the sun exposure?

2. Have you experimented with other types of soil? The reason I ask, is because some have used "Mel's Mix", and I wonder about the wicking properties of it vs. potting mix.

3. Have you also experimented with white plastic mulch, instead of black? I was thinking that the white color might help with evaporation loss, vs. the black - that will probably absorb more heat.

That's all I can think of for now...lol. I can't wait for your reply.

EG

Hey E.G.

How's life in 'Bama? Spring ought to be coming soon.

My goal is to get about 7 years of service out of the EarthTainer's outer shell before it will needed to be replaced. Remember, the inner container used for the aeration bench should last 15+ years, as it is not exposed to UV deterioration. Some things you can do to extend the outer container's life is to rotate the 'Tainer 180 degrees at the start of the new season. This should even out the sun's exposure to all sides of the 'Tainer. also, you could build a 2 ft. high picket fence around the 3 exposed sides of the 'Tainer to somewhat shield it from the rays.

Regarding potting mix, I only have commercial access to Miracle-Gro and Sta-Green here in N. California. I would love to get Pro-Mix here - - but it isn't available. It would be interesting to try Al's mix.

In your area, I would definitely use the white mulch. While I use black plastic here to warm the soil in Spring, I cover it over with small redwood bark chips come May to help keep the black mulch from being exposed to the sun heating up the 'Tainer.

E.G. I had asked you a question in the Container thread about your mini float valve's connection to the 1/4" drip irrigation feeder hose. Would appreciate you expertise on how I can attach the flexible plastic tubing to the compression fitting in the float valve.

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Raybo

I used containers before,,,
built mine..

I'd say they are good fer around 3 years...mine are a little brittle now...

Those pics are 2 years ago BTW

Raybo, thank you for the reply re: soil life and wicking basket size. And I appreciate that this is a work in progess. However, when I first started this thread, I 'name dropped' Al Tapla hoping he would wiegh in. I believe his expertise in GFP, Capillary Action, PWT, soil type and consistency, etc. lends itself perfectly to this discussion. So allow me me to be more direct:

Al, can you give us your thoughts on the PWT hieght using Raybo's 31 gal container with Miracle Grow (non moisture control) soil with a wicking basket roughly 5" diameter X 6" deep. Or better yet, what would be the optimum wicking basket size? Also, would your mix be suitable for Raybo's earth tainer?

Anyone else with ideas/experience/thoughts/questions?

Thanks, Bill

Raybo - It has been ridiculously cold here all winter, but maybe that's about to change. I'm ready for spring!

That's helpful information on rotating the ET's each year, thanks! As you know about our intense summers, that white plastic mulch should help matters hopefully. I'll definitely try that this year. We have Sta-Green at Lowes, and it's a little cheaper than the Miracle Gro stuff. I think it will be cheaper to fill with, than any of the other soil mixes.

About your float valve....I haven't been to the container forum in months, but will check it. How much does that float valve cost? The reason I ask, is because I know of a website that has one that might work better....

EG

Raybo - the person in the container forum that you asked a question of is someone else. Ha!Before you install that float, let me email you a link to a different one, and see what you think.

EG

EG,

Thanks a bunch. While I am very happy with the EarthBox Company's AWS that I modified to work in the 'Tainers, it requires attachment to a pressurized water source. The EarthTainer in Haiti project did not have a pressurized water source - - only a big rain-barrel for gravity feed to each 'Tainer.

The mini float valves that I bought to experiment with appear that they will work in a gravity fed system, hence my desire to experiment with them.

I am concerned about the physical dimensions of the float itself, and trying to fit in within the 1 inch air space under the aeration bench. If you have found a better solution for the valve, I would really appreciate the information.

Raybo

Ray - I'm gonna send you another email. I have lots of ideas to run by ya.

EG

Raybo--any ideas on where to find the heavy-duty cages you talk about? Our WalMarts in Tucson are stocking only the standard flimsy ones for this spring. Target has some that look rock solid, but the legs/spikes are strange for the ET's it seems. Thanks.

Russ

From what I've read in the container forum it sounds like A1's 5-1-1 mix will work very well for tomatoes in a SWC. I already know from experience that it works good for carrots and beets so why not tomatoes. Plus its was cheaper to make my own container soil than buying a bunch of bagged stuff. Count me in on A1 mix for my SWC tomatoes.

Damon

azruss,

Sometimes, Walmart gets their cages delivered on different dates. I remember in San Jose last season, some of the stores didn't get the heavy duty ones until April. From memory, the flimsy ones they had for sale early in the season were left-overs from last year. The 3/16" ones always seem to sell out so there is no carry-over for the next Season.

Raybo

Raybo,

Unfortunately April is too late for me in Tucson, AZ. Any seedlings planted then will grow but have no time to produce anything before the summer heat cooks them. I think I'll try to finagle something with the Target ones I mentioned because I want everything planted out by the end of February. (My later-season plants went into the ground January 1 and are doing great.) Thanks so much, nonetheless.

Russ

Russ,

I just read another thread where the poster got the heavy duty 3/16" cages at Lowes. Lowes did not carry them last year, so this may be a new item for them. Anyhow, it is worth checking out if you have a Lowes near you. Also a store called Menards has been reported as carrying the heavy duty cages. Good hunting!!

Raybo

Ray, check the link below, not sure, but it may lead you to an answer on "mini float valve's connection to the 1/4" drip irrigation feeder hose"

Here is a link that might be useful: Google Image search on

Raybo
How do you think the Texas Cages will work with the Earthtainer.
They are 1/4" diamiter and either 18" ot 24" at 6'
Seems to me they could be be incorporated into the Tainers in relatively the same manner as the two cages.
Thoughts?

Here is a link that might be useful: Texas Cages

azruss

Take a copy of this upc code for the Glamos Tomato Cage to the person in charge of purchasing for your local store. Hopefully they will look it up and let them know how many you need.

18" x 54"x 3/16" Hvy Duty Tomato Cage

George

Great Idea George!!!!
I am going to go to my local Walmart(its a really crappy small one) and ask for a manager or something. I figure if they sell them at another Walmart they can get me the 10 I will require this year.

bdobs,

The 5" diameter wicking baskets seem to be hard to find apparently. I bought some extra last year, so if you can't find the 10 you need, email me and I can sell you my extras.

Raybo

Raybo, scratch the Texas cage question, on second thought they are just too much money.
$136 shipped for 6, although they do seem nice

Raybo
I actually ordered the small wicking baskets a week and a half ago but havnt received them yet(or heard back from the company)...gotta love Amazon, $1.95 a piece but $10 S&H uggg.

I dont know if you remember, but early last grow season we corresponded about the larger HD wicking baskets. You told me that they produce a mix that is too wet, and I should modify my boxes with your old fix of making the pre-cut hole smaller. I didnt head your advise, and my Maters out of that box were tasteless and stricken with BER. I attribute the lack of taste to too much water.

I expect my seeds to arrive early next week. It will be my first time from seeds.

Brian

I have a question on the longevity of the SWC. Something I've noticed is that the color of mine (medium blue) is beginning to fade out. I'm sure it's because of the exposure to the sun.

I've seen spray enamel paint at Lowes that is specifically for plastic (like plastic outdoor chairs, etc). I wonder if the SWC were sprayed with this before the 2nd year of growing, if this would help to stop the UV damage and extend the life of the containers.

Here is a link that might be useful: Judy's Square Foot Garden Blog

magnolias,

Your idea of spraying the outside might help delay the UV deterioration to some degree.

I will only use Rubbermaid containers and not the Walmart ones as they are thicker hence, my assumption that they will last longer in the garden. I also purchase the light tan colored ones as the darker color containers will absorb more of the sun's energy which heats the container too much in Summer, as well as likely accelerates the UV destruction.

I also rotate my 'Tainers 180 degrees each season to even out the exposure to the sun. I hope to get 7 years useful life from the outer shell (the inside aeration bench should last much longer) and when I see the outer shell starting to deteriorate, I will replace it with a new outer shell and use the old one as a new aeration bench for a new EarthTainer.

$14.00 divided by 7 years; divided by 2 plants per 'Tainer works out to be only $1.00 per plant, so not a big worry.

Raybo

Raybo -- I think I might do a little experiment this year and paint a couple of the SWCs and see what happens. If they do hold up better, I will let you know. I will go with a very light tan color if I can find that color in the plastic Kyrlon paint.

magnolias,

Let us know how you make out with the paint. One thing I am considering is to build a 20 inch high closely spaced picket fence that would go around the three sides of the 'Tainer exposed to the Sun. This would keep them cool in the Summer as well as better meet the W.A.F.

I recall a thread on GW last year where someone had built some very good looking outer wooden boxes to achieve the same look. Wish I could find it again to see how he made them.

Raybo

Raybo,

To build very attractive boxes to go around the EarthTainers, you can do what I did to build my raised beds. I found inexpensive dog-eared cedar planks at Home Depot and cut them to the desired lengths. Nail them, positioned vertically (alternating the dog-ear pieces and straight-end pieces), to two horizontal pre-cut 2x3's, one near the inside top of the planks and one near the bottom as supports. Do this for each side of the box (3 in this case) and then nail the sides together. Paint if you want to. Hope this is clear. It was really easy to do and not all that costly.

Russ in Marana, AZ

Raybo,

Have you grown these varieties in the EarthTainer?

-Stupice
-Eva Purple Ball
-Sungold
-Black Cherry

How did they turn out?

Russ in Marana, AZ

Russ,

I have only grown Stupice and Eva Purple Ball.

Stupice was the first to ripen last year on May 27 (planted out on March 21).

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Here it is in July:

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I also grew EPB last season, and was not too impressed with it. Pretty, but no taste. Druzba would be a better alternative in my view.

Raybo